The House of Roses (43 page)

***

Rita Hollings sat on her own porch drinking old coffee and smoking a cigarette. She had spent an hour helping Nathan comfort his Erica, and then watched as they, along with Maria, embarked on a walk into the village, with the twins nestled safely in their stroller. It had rained, but finally the clouds had taken their leave, leaving a balmy afternoon in their wake. It was a good day to walk, but Rita needed to be alone with her thoughts.

The phone rang on the table beside her, and at first she ignored it. She heard a male voice begin speaking to her answering machine, and only then did she answer the phone.

“
Hello,” she said, stubbing her cigarette into the overflowing ashtray at her feet.

“
May I please speak to Caitlin?”

“
May I ask who's calling?” Rita asked.

“
Rita?”

“
Yes.”

“
It's Colin Thomas.”

“
Yes, Colin. What can I do for you?”

“
I'm trying to find Caitlin. Okay, let me try to say that in a way that makes me sound less like a stalker.”  Colin chuckled at himself, and Rita smiled. He was nervous. Served him right.

“
Rita, is she there?  I don't know if she told you but I saw her yesterday. I've been really worried about her since then. There's no answer at her apartment, and no machine, and her cell goes right to voice mail. Can you at least tell me if she's all right?”

“
She's going through a hard time, Colin,” Rita said honestly.

“
I'm sure I've contributed to that.”

More than you know.
“That's for the two of you to discuss.”

“
Is she in the city, Rita?”

“
She's staying here with me.”

“
Is everything all right?” he asked, and to Rita he sounded not only concerned, but  genuinely frightened.

“
Not really.”

“
Did something happen?” he asked, and Rita sighed.

You can't imagine.
Rita wanted to tell him the truth, but it wasn't her place. In the end, she told him only part of it. “Do you remember Ella?  She worked in the flower shop with me. You met her a couple of times.”

“
The rose lady?”

The rose lady. That was my Ella.
“Yes.”

“
Yes, I remember her. She's a nice woman.”

“
Colin, she died last night. It's a very hard time for us right now.”

“
I'm so sorry, Rita. I remember Caitlin telling me she was your best friend.”

“
She was, and she and Caitlin were very close.”

“
I didn't know that.”

Neither did she.
“She's heartbroken. We all are.”

“
I'm sorry, Rita. I'm sorry for all of you. I don't want to impose, but could you give Caitlin a message?”

“
Yes, I'd be happy to do that. I expect her back later.”

“
I'm supposed to see her tomorrow. I can't do that. Okay, that sounds awful. May I explain?”

“
That might be best,” Rita said.

“
I'm taking care of a dying friend, Rita. I'm not sure I can get away tomorrow. Caitlin met her. I think she'll understand.”

“
I'll let her know.”

“
Thank you. Would you ask her to call me?”

“
I will.”

“
Thank you. Oh, and, Rita, one more thing......,” Colin said, stammering somewhat.

“
What's that?”

“
What is your friend's last name?  I'd like to send my condolences.”

“
That's very thoughtful. Her name is Ella Simons. She will be greatly missed.”

“
I'm sure. I want to say again how sorry I am about your friend's passing. If Caitlin loved her, she must have been a wonderful person.”

“
She was. May I ask you something, Colin?” Rita said, sipping the cold coffee and wishing it was something stronger.

“
Of course.”

“
If Caitlin loved you, what does that make you?”

“
I'd prefer not to say that over the phone, or to you, Rita.”

“
I understand. Thank you for calling, Colin, and for your condolences. I'll let Caitlin know you've called.”

“
Please ask her to call me. I really miss her.”

“
I will. She really misses you, too.”

“
Thank you for saying that. Bye, Rita.”

“
Goodbye, Colin.”

Rita set the phone down, walked into the kitchen and dumped the coffee down the drain. She emptied the last of the previous night's wine into her coffee cup and brought it to her lips. She'd always liked Colin, and the phone call hadn't changed that. He might send his condolences, but Rita had a feeling it was more likely he'd deliver them in person.

Forty-six

By four o'clock Sunday afternoon, the funeral arrangements for Ella Simons had been made. Caitlin's eyes were red-rimmed, and she was physically and emotionally exhausted. Liz Parker looked the same. Howie had said little, adding his opinion from time to time with a nod. Once, he'd stopped to wipe his eyes on his handkerchief, before taking his wife's arm, and leading her from the funeral home. 

It was decided that calling hours would be held for three hours on Tuesday evening beginning at six o'clock, and on Wednesday at noon, Ella Simons would be laid to rest beside Charles Tayler, the man she had always loved.

They had selected a cherry coffin with a pink satin lining. Caitlin couldn't imagine Ella inside, so she focused instead on the smooth wooden finish, and imagined it laden with roses, as she knew it would be.

Fifteen minutes later Caitlin was sitting on the front porch of her mother's home, sipping a much needed glass of wine. The day was still warm, and the twins slept side by side in their stroller. Caitlin stared into their faces and smiled weakly.

“
You okay, Cate?” Maria asked, and Caitlin nodded.

“
Surprisingly so.”

“
You seem better,” Maria said gently.

“
I feel peaceful. Don't get me wrong, I am sad as hell, but I feel peaceful.”

“
It's a good feeling.”

“
Yeah. I feel like things might be okay. When I see Colin tomorrow, I'm going to tell him everything. I'm going to tell him I love him, that I am in love with him, and I want to be with him.”

“
Um, you should check with your mom,” Maria said.

“
Why?”

“
Because Colin called.”

“
Holy shit, Maria!  He called here?”

“
That's what Rita said.”

“
Mom?” Caitlin called through the open kitchen window.

“
You're home, Cate?”

“
I'm talking to you, aren't I?” Caitlin asked.

“
Yeah,” Rita said, sounding far away.

“
Can you come out here for a second?”

Rita appeared in the doorway a moment later. “How you doing, honey?” she asked.

“
I'll be better once you tell me about this phone call from Colin.”

“
He called here, Caitlin,” Rita said.

“
He did?” Caitlin asked incredulously.

“
Yes. He was looking for you. Evidently he's pretty steadfast with his efforts.”

“
What did you tell him, Rita?” Caitlin asked.

“
We're back to Rita?” Rita questioned, feeling a bit struck.

“
Sorry, I am a little freaked, Mom. What did you guys talk about?”

“
Sports,” Rita said, and Maria laughed. Caitlin threw her a warning look and Maria abruptly became quiet.

“
That's not funny,” Caitlin said.

“
It was a little funny,” Rita said.

“
Don't torture me,” Caitlin said. “What did you say to him?”

“
I told him the truth, Cate.”  Caitlin went immediately pale.

“
You are killing me, Mom.”

“
I don't mean to, Cate. Okay, I told him part of the truth,” Rita said, and Caitlin appeared to relax, if only slightly.

“
Which part?”

“
I told him Ella passed away. He remembered her. He was actually calling to tell you his friend was dying and he wouldn't be able to meet you tomorrow.”

“
I met her. She's very sick,” Caitlin said, feeling sorry for Colin, Rosario, and herself. She'd really looked forward to seeing Colin. Caitlin wondered if she should tell her mother and Maria about the little girl. She decided it could wait.

“
Cate?” Rita said. “Are you all right?”

Caitlin hadn't realized how long she'd been lost in her thoughts. She looked at Rita and nodded her head. “Yeah. Did he say anything else?”

“
He was kind, Caitlin. Very thoughtful. He said he'd like you to call him,” Rita said. She left out the rest, convincing herself it was superfluous. After all, Colin might not come to the funeral. He might just send the condolences he'd offered.

“
You're sure you didn't tell him about the twins?” Caitlin said.

“
I think I'd remember that, Caitlin, and no, of course I didn't tell him. It's not up to me.”

“
Thanks, Mom.”

“
Caitlin, there was one more thing.”

“
What was that?”

“
He said he misses you.”

“
He said that?” Caitlin asked in a small voice.

“
Yes.”

“
Oh, Mom. I miss him, too.”

“
Remember what you told me, Cate?  Remember what you said this morning in the shop?” Rita asked. Caitlin looked at her, and although she was crying softly, she smiled.

“
I remember.”

“
So do I. We're going to find a way to be happy, right?” Rita asked, taking her daughter's hand.

“
Yes. Yes, we are.”

***

Colin Thomas opened the front door of his new home. The house was surprisingly quiet.

“
Hello,” he called, and the home seemed to echo, its empty spaces swallowing his greeting and shouting it back at him. “Let's go out back, buddy,” he said to the dog, who looked at him inquisitively. “And let's try to be here a while before you start christening the place.”

Colin walked slowly through the house to the French doors off the dining area. He found Caren, Rosario, and Mia out back enjoying the warm autumn day. Mia looked  delighted when she saw Faith.

“
Puppy,” she said happily and Faith ran to her side.

Rosario sat in a chair on the patio and she turned carefully, making eye contact with Colin. He forced himself not to react. He was amazed to see how much her condition had deteriorated in only a day. She had seemed weak at the festival, but in less than twenty-four hours she had become positively frail. Caren had been right to be concerned. Conjuring up acting skills he didn't know he had, Colin smiled reassuringly at Rosario, who smiled weakly back at him.
She knows. She knows it's here.

The thought played over and over in his mind, as he walked to the table and sat between the two women. He took Rosario's hand, which was cool and clammy.

“
How are you?” he asked softly, as Mia played in the yard.

“
Lousy,” she said honestly.

“
What can I do?” he asked.

“
I'm in a lot of pain.”

“
I called hospice, Colin,” Caren said. “They'll be here in an hour.”

“
Good. We'll get you through this, Rosario,” he said, with a confidence he didn't feel.

Rosario leaned in closely and for a moment, he wondered if she might kiss him. She didn't. Instead, she whispered two words that made his blood run cold. “I'm ready.”

“
I understand,” he said gently, trying to collect himself. “I need to make a call. I'll be right back.”  Colin kissed Rosario's forehead, and called to Mia.